District Court March 31 - Part I

By Teresa Moon

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened on Tuesday, March 31, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Keith William Green appeared for sentencing on the Category D Felony of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, a Third or Subsequent Offense, to which he pleaded guilty in December 2022.

The charge carries a mandatory prison sentence unless the defendant applies for and is approved for the DUI diversion program, which Green was granted in March 2023. Green appeared in court after successfully completing the program.

Chief Deputy District Attorney (CDDA) Lane Mills told Judge Stockard that a lot of positive changes have occurred in the defendant’s life over the past three years and that he did very well in Diversion.

Churchill County Public Defender (CCPD) Jacob Sommer told the court, “I am personally very proud of Keith and his progress … He has responded in every way with honor and with determination and with hard work. I hope he know how proud of him we are.”

Green expressed appreciation for being able to participate in Diversion and said it was hard work. He told the court he plans to continue on his current path.

Judge Stockard imposed the statutory $750 fine and congratulated Green, stating, “It is a very, very rigorous program. You get out of it what you put into it, a lot like anything in life.”

David Steven Haskin appeared for a status hearing on two counts, to which he pleaded guilty in March: a Gross Misdemeanor of Conspiracy to Commit Burglary of a Business and a Category B Felony of Driving Under the Influence of an Intoxicating Liquor or a Controlled or Prohibited Substance, a Third or Subsequent Offense.

Judge Stockard noted the court is aware Haskin has serious health conditions; however, he did receive a Court Services violation.

Defense attorney Charles Woodman told the court his client has stage four cancer and that chemotherapy treatments have made him ill enough to require hospital visits. Woodman asked the court to return Haskin to regular Court Services supervision with daily check-ins by phone and random testing.

Haskin explained that he only uses his phone for making calls and that Churchill County Forensic Assessment Services Triage Team (FASTT) would assist him with learning how to use voicemail and other features. FASTT works with defendants to connect them to various resources and provides assistance

DDA Priscilla Baker said the defendant has committed to the DUI diversion program, is attending, and is doing what is required. She said if he can resolve the phone issue, the state believes this is the best solution.

Judge Stockard amended the order to require daily check-ins and random testing.

Charles Ray Bowie Jr., in custody, pleaded guilty to Count I, Possession of a Low-Level Controlled Substance, a Category C felony punishable by 1–5 years in prison and a fine up to $10,000; and Count II, a wobbler charge of Attempt to Possess a Low-Level Controlled Substance. A wobbler may be sentenced as either a Gross Misdemeanor, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, or as a Category D felony, punishable by 1–4 years in prison and a fine up to $2,000.

According to statements made in court, Bowie was found in possession of 19 grams of methamphetamine.

Bowie stated, “I want to do Drug Court and get off drugs.”

Judge Stockard told the defendant he expects no positive tests while Bowie is in Drug Court and emphasized the importance of honesty regarding any slip-up.

Stockard provisionally placed Bowie in the Western Nevada Regional Specialty Court program with Court Services supervision, ordered a Pre-Sentencing Investigation (PSI), and set sentencing for June 2.

See Part II of the March 31 calendar online on April 11.